File-box or document-case



A. 0. BARLER.

FILE BOX 0R DOCUMENT GASE- No. 567,633. Patented Sept. 15, 1896.

UNITED STATES iATENT F IUE.

FILE-BOX OR DOCUMENT-CASE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 567,633, dated September 15, 1896. Application filed February 25, 1896. Serial No. 580,720. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, AUGUSTUS C. BARLER, a resident of Chicago, in-the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in File-Boxes or Document-Gases; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will en-' able others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to an improvement in file-boxes or document-cases; and it consists in certain novel features of construction and combinations of parts, which will be hereinafter described, and pointed out in the claims.

I11 the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a view in perspective of my improved filebox. Fig. 2 is a view in transverse section with the box closed. Fig. 3 is a similar view showing the box open. Fig. 4 is a detached view of the rod 0, and Fig. 5 is a sectional detail of a modification.

The case is composed of two sections A and B, hinged together at one edge, as shown. These sections are substantially similar, and the short side of one is hinged to the long side of the other, so that the opening line between the two sections is diagonal, and when the box or case is open one section rests on its bottom and the other on its side, said bottom and side being in alinement with each other.

The section A is preferably provided with a lock 1 and the other with a catch 2, adapted to be engaged and held by the lock when the box or case is closed. In this way the owner controls access to the interior of the box or case by means of a key, and surreptitious interference with the contents is precluded. To still further guard against the insertion of anything from the outside into the boxbe-' tween the sections, and also to exclude dust and dirt, flanges 3 3 are provided at the ends, they projecting from the ends of one section and being adapted to enter just inside the ends of the other section, and still another overlapping flange 4: at the outer edge.

While the foregoing constitute a feature of my invention, I would also emphasize the following: O is a combined rack and holder, preferably composed of wire bent, as shown at 5 5, to form pintles of the hinges 6 6, which permanently or removably connect the rack to the box or case, and the central portion 7, which connects these pintles together, and which constitutes a rack for the envelops to lean against when the box or case is open, and which acts as a lever against which the envelops drop to throw the rack over in closing the box or case, and the extreme ends 8 8 are disposed approximately at right angles to the rack portion, and on them the envelops 9 9 9 are impaled, nuts 10 10 being removably screwed upon their extreme ends to retain the envelops in place. These ends also serve as convenient handles by which the operator may swing the envelops into their upright position, as occasion requires, after the box or case has been opened, although this same thing could be accomplished by properly tilt-.

ing the box.

By removing the nuts an envelop can be removed or replaced or all can be removed or replaced, as occasion may demand.

Any scheme for indexing or labeling may be used, as the possessor may desire.

Another thing to be observed is the fact that thehinge which connects the sections of the box or case together also serves as a shoulder for the inner edges of the envelops to rest or bear against, and the ends 8 8 of the wire each project over the side of the other section, where they are struck by the section in closing the box or case, so that the envelops nor mally rest on edge on the side of one of the sections with the ends 8 8 passing through them when the box or case is open, and they lie flat in the other section when the box is closed. I

A box of this character is most useful in filing away and classifying valuable papers, such as notes, letters, or newspapenclippings, and not only are they handy and readily accessible, but also the contents of the box are kept secure and cannot be tampered with.

It is evident that slight changes might be resorted to in the form and arrangement of they several parts described without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention, and hence I do not wish to limit myself to the exact construction herein set forth; but,

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The combination with a file box or case,

Ioo

of a Wire or rod hinged therein and upon which the documents or other articles to be held in the box or case are placed, and arack in position to support and constitute a rest for the documents or other articles when the box or case is open.

2. The combination in a file-box or document-case made in two sections, of a rod hinged therein, said rod bent to form two bearings, a rack for the support of the articles contained in the box or case, and pins for the attachment of the documents, substantially as set forth.

3. The combination with a box made in sections hinged together, of a rod hinged adjacent to the hinge which connects the sections, said rod bent to constitute two bearings, a rack and ends on which the documents are held, and removable devices on said ends for retaining the documents in place thereon, substantially as set forth.

4:. The combination with a box or case coinprising two sections hinged together, of a rod hinged to one of the sections at apoint adjacent to the other section, of file papers or envelops strung on the ends of said rod, substantially as set forth.

5. The combination with abox or case comprising two sections hinged together, of a rod hinged to one section at a point adjacent to the hinge which connects the sections together and adapted to project into the other section, file papers or envelops strung on the rod, the hinge which connects the sections together adapted to act as a shoulder or abutment for the file papers or envelops, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

AUGUSTUS C. BARLER.

XVitnesses:

0. S. DRURY, GEO. F. DOWNING. 

